Page 23 of Dead Evil
“It’s nice to meet you all.” Devin turned his attention to Everly. “Would you like a closer look?”
Nodding, Everly and Wolf followed Devin to the table where Agatha Louise sat. There were signs warning of the doll’s power and of the people who’d found themselves on the wrong side of the doll’s temper. “She’s beautiful,” Everly said, with awe in her voice. “Hi, Agatha Louise, my name is Everly. If you want to talk to me, I can hear you.”
The doll’s head swiveled toward Everly. Both of her arms came up, as if Agatha Louise wanted to be picked up. Wolf’s eyes bugged out. He backed away from the table and stumbled backward into Jude, who picked him up.
“I wish I could give you a hug,” Everly said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can feel how much pain you’re in.” She reached out toward the box and set her fingers against the glass.
Ronan wanted to scoop Everly up and get her away from the doll, but stood his ground. When he looked at Tennyson, his husband had his hands out, looking ready to grab her.
“We have the same color hair,” Everly said, holding out strands of her own. “Your hair is better with those curls. I always wanted curls, but they never stay in my hair for long.”
Agatha Louise bent forward, as if she wanted to touch Everly’s hair.
“Has anything like this ever happened before?” Ronan asked Devin, whose mouth hung open in obvious shock.
“Never. The only people Agatha Louise has ever interacted with were those who tried to hurt her. She’s never moved like this for me and I love her to heaven and back. There’s something special about your daughter,” Devin paused. “Do you think she can help my precious girl?”
“If anyone can, it’s Everly,” Ronan said softly.
“I would love to be your friend!” Everly said with a little squeal, just as Ronan’s timer went off.
Agatha Louise’s arms dropped back to her side. Her head swiveled back to its original position.
Everly sniffled. “I’ve gotta go now, but I’ll come see you again. I promise.” She crossed her heart and held out her pinkie.
Silencing the alarm, Ronan set a hand on Everly’s shoulder. “Thanks for letting the kids visit with Agatha Louise.”
“Thank you, Everly, for being Agatha Louise’s friend. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.” Devin dabbed at his damp eyes.
“You’re welcome.” Everly smiled at Devin. “See ya later, alligator!” She waved at the doll and reached for her father.
Ronan took Everly’s hand and led her out of the ballroom toward a niche with couches and a coffee table. He took a seat and pulled his daughter onto his lap. Tennyson sat beside them. “Are you okay?”
Everly nodded. “Agatha Louise is in so much pain. She feels the burns on her face. All she wants is a friend. She said so many people come to see her, but they don’tseeher. I don’t understand what that means.”
Ronan nodded. “You know the doll’s history of hurting people, right?”
“Yeah.” Everly nodded.
“People come to see her wanting to see her hurt someone else. They want to see the monster.” Saying those words to his daughter chilled Ronan to the bone. He was crushed to be the one to destroy one more piece of Everly’s innocence.
Tears streaked down Everly’s cheeks. “She’s not a monster. She’s just hurting and doesn’t know how to make it stop.”
“Do you know how to make it stop?” Ronan asked, afraid of the answer.
“Not yet. I need some time to think about it. I’ll let you know if I figure it out.” Everly wrapped her arms around Ronan and hugged him.
“Attention, ladies and gentlemen,” the voice on the public address system said. “The Dallas Demonologist demonstration begins in ten minutes. Tickets are still available at the box office.”
“Let’s go find our seats.” Ronan set Everly down and she hugged Tennyson.
“You really are okay,” Ten said.
“Just a little sad. Agatha Louise doesn’t like living in the museum and having people visit her like she’s a lion in the zoo. She wants a friend.” Everly sniffled. “Everyone deserves friends.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Ten agreed. “Let’s go to the show and we can talk about this more when we go home, okay?”
“Okay, Dad.” Everly walked toward Ronan who was holding his hand out to her. “Can I visit Agatha Louise tomorrow before she goes back to Florida?”
